Case Summary

In the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, the Hindu community were intimidated during the festival of Holi by two Muslim men named Salman and Shoaib, who brandished an iron rod in a public place. The incident occurred in the Sadar locality under the jurisdiction of the City Kotwali police station during the festival of Holi, which also coincided with the Islamic month of Ramzan. A video that circulated widely on social media showed two Muslim youths, identified as Salman and Shoaib, riding a motorcycle on a public road while carrying iron rods in their hands, in an intimidating manner. During the time when people in the area were celebrating Holi and participating in Rangotsav festivities, the two men moved through the streets brandishing the rods and creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among local residents. Bystanders recorded the incident on their mobile phones, and the footage quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing public attention to the situation. Following the circulation of the video, the matter came to the notice of the Sitapur Police. In response, the police stated that the two individuals visible in the footage appeared to be carrying an iron rod while riding a motorcycle and that no other objectionable activity was visible in the video. Nevertheless, the authorities acknowledged the video and ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident. Police officials stated that necessary action would be taken after a detailed investigation of the matter.

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Why it is Hate Crime ?

This case is currently being added to the ‘Undecided’ database due to the absence of clear evidence demonstrating a significant religious motive behind the immediate incident. In this instance, the accused, Salman and Shoaib, were moving through the streets of the Sadar locality during the Holi celebrations. The two Muslim youths were riding a motorcycle while carrying iron rods, creating an atmosphere of intimidation on a public road at a time when residents were participating in Holi festivities. The display of rods in a public space during a major Hindu festival caused concern among locals, particularly given the identities of the individuals involved and the sensitive communal context that often surrounds religious celebrations. Across India, the Hinduphobia Tracker has documented numerous instances in which Hindu festivals, including Holi, have become flashpoints for tensions or confrontations involving Muslim individuals, sometimes escalating into violence or intimidation directed at Hindus. In that broader context, the emergence of this incident during Holi raises legitimate questions regarding whether deeper religious hostility may have played a role in the behaviour displayed in the video. The timing of the incident also warrants scrutiny because it occurred during Holi, a festival that has, in several previously documented cases, witnessed attacks, disruptions, or intimidation directed at Hindus by Muslim individuals motivated by hostility towards Hindu religious practices and celebrations. The Hinduphobia Tracker has recorded multiple such incidents where what initially appeared to be minor confrontations later revealed elements of religious contempt or intolerance towards Hindu traditions. Consequently, when individuals from another religious community are seen displaying aggressive behaviour in public spaces during Hindu festivities, it inevitably raises concerns about whether the actions were intended to intimidate those celebrating the festival. At the same time, the currently available information does not establish that the behaviour of the two individuals was explicitly directed at Hindus or that it involved any direct disruption of Holi celebrations. Police authorities stated that the video showed the individuals carrying iron rods while riding a motorcycle and indicated that no other objectionable activity was visible in the footage. Furthermore, there is no indication in available reports that the accused issued threats against Hindu participants, shouted religious slogans, or physically attacked those celebrating the festival. The available details, therefore, do not provide definitive evidence that the actions were motivated by hostility towards Hinduism or towards the festival itself, though the investigation was pending, which could reveal further details. The Hinduphobia Tracker follows strict evidence-based standards before categorising an incident as a confirmed hate crime. Since the currently available information does not establish a clear religious motive or targeted hostility towards Hindus, the case has been placed in the ‘Undecided’ database pending further developments. Should additional evidence emerge demonstrating that the actions were intended to threaten or intimidate Hindus or disrupt Holi celebrations on religious grounds, the case will be reassessed and may be moved to the confirmed hate crime database. Disclaimer: The video of the incident was uploaded on X (formerly Twitter) on 4 March 2026. As the exact date on which the incident occurred is not known from currently available reports, the Hinduphobia Tracker has recorded 4 March 2026 as the date of the incident for documentation purposes. This date reflects the first known appearance of the video online rather than the confirmed date when the event actually took place.